Education Officials Urge State Lawmakers to Roll Out Common Core Standards

Despite complaints from teachers across Connecticut about the rollout of new education standards and guidelines, education officials are urging state lawmakers to oppose efforts to stop it.

State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor testified Wednesday before the legislature's Education Committee. Pryor said previous standards "are not making the grade" and Connecticut risks harming its students by requiring them to remain in what he called "a bygone era."

As Pryor spoke, a group of onlookers sat behind him wearing red shirts that read "Stop Common Core in CT," referring to the education guidelines originally approved by the State Board of Education in 2010.

Republican legislators have called for a one-year delay of implementation. They say they've heard from complaints from numerous constituents, including teachers and parents.

Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor told lawmakers that the state wants to be flexible with its approach to reform, knowing that local districts are struggling to make sweeping changes while also revising the way teachers are evaluated.

After mounting complaints from teachers, officials recently announced the state plans to delay the implementation of teacher evaluations. Meanwhile, other lawmakers are calling for a re-examination of the Common Core standards. Two years after Connecticut approved sweeping education legislation, we'll check-in on the implementation and receive an update on Common Core in the state.